“Anaesthesia on the sole of the foot” is caused by injury to
First, I remember that the foot's sole has different sensory innervation. The medial and lateral plantar nerves are branches of the tibial nerve. The tibial nerve itself is part of the sciatic nerve. The medial plantar nerve supplies the medial part of the sole, including the first three toes, while the lateral plantar nerve covers the lateral part.
So, if there's anesthesia on the sole, it's likely due to damage to the tibial nerve before it divides into the medial and lateral plantar nerves. The common peroneal nerve (fibular nerve) affects the dorsum of the foot, not the sole. The sural nerve is sensory for the lateral calf and lateral foot, not the sole. The superficial peroneal nerve also innervates the dorsum and lateral foot.
Therefore, the correct answer should be the tibial nerve. The question is probably testing knowledge of nerve distributions in the lower limb. The key point is that the tibial nerve supplies the sole via its branches. The clinical pearl would be that injury to the tibial nerve results in loss of sensation on the sole, which is a classic exam question topic.
**Core Concept**
The sensory innervation of the sole of the foot is primarily supplied by the **tibial nerve** via its terminal branches: the **medial** and **lateral plantar nerves**. Damage to the tibial nerve proximal to these branches results in anesthesia of the entire sole. This is a key clinical finding in assessing peripheral nerve injuries.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **tibial nerve** arises from the sciatic nerve and descends posterior to the medial malleolus. It divides into the medial and lateral plantar nerves, which innervate the medial and lateral aspects of the sole, respectively. Injury to the tibial nerve before this bifurcation (e.g., due to a posterior ankle fracture or compression) disrupts sensory and motor function to the sole. This distinguishes it from other nerves that supply the dorsum or lateral foot.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The *common peroneal nerve* innervates the dorsum of the foot, not the sole. Anesthesia here would affect the top of the foot and toes.
**Option B:** The *sural nerve* provides sensory input to the lateral calf and lateral foot, excluding the sole.
**Option C:** The *superficial peroneal nerve* supplies the anterior lateral leg and dorsum of the foot but not the sole.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the "Sole-Specific Rule": **Tibial nerve injury** (via medial/lateral plantar branches) causes **sole anesthesia**, while **peroneal nerve injuries** affect the **dorsum**. This distinction is critical in localizing nerve lesions in the lower limb for exams and clinical practice.
**Correct Answer: C. Tibial nerve**